Draw track for drapes

ABSTRACT

A plastic draw track for drapes which is extruded integrally with a valance. Also moulded plastic drape carriers which are formed with four domed projections on the underside for engagement with the track, thus reducing friction. A support bracket may be provided which enables the track to be carried from a wall or window frame in those cases where the upper edge of the window opening is below ceiling level.

United States Patent, 1191- l-lelmer et al.

DRAW TRACK FOR DRAPES lnventors: Rupert C. Helmer, Port Moody,

British Columbia; Alan C. Johnson, Vancouver, British Columbia, both ofCanada Val-Trac Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Vancouver, British Columbia,Canada Filed: Feb. 20, 1973 Appl. No.: 333,651

Assignee:

Foreign Application Priority Data Feb. 29, 1972 Canada 135764 U.S. Cl.16/94 D, 16/93 D 1 1;. p1 A47h 1/04 Field of Search 16/94 15,95 D,9615,9313, 16/87.6, 87.8, 87.2, 87.4;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1925 Edsall 16/93 1) 10/1955Ford et al. 16/93 1) 9/1956 Ohlander 16/93 D 10/1966 Donovan 16/94 DJune 25, 1974 3,574,887 4/1971 Schindlauer 16/95 D FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 576,320 5/1933 Germany l6/87.6 R 634,009 2/1933 Germanyl6/87.8 869,610 5/1961 Great Britain 16/94 D 202,810 5/1939 Switzerland.16/95 D OTHER PUBLICATIONS 1 143309 2/1963 German Ruberg PrintedApplication.

Primary ExaminerDonald A. Griffin Attorney, Agent, orFirmFetherstonhaugh & Co.

[ 57 ABSTRACT A plastic draw track for drapes which is extrudedintegrally with a valance. Also moulded plastic drape carriers which areformed with four domed projections on the underside for engagement withthe track, thus reducing friction. A support bracket may be providedwhich enables the track to be carried from a wall or window frame inthose cases where the upper edge of the window opening is below ceilinglevel.

DRAW TRACK FOR DRAPES The invention relates to draw track assemblies fordrapes and in particular to an extruded draw track for use in suchassemblies.

The invention provides an extruded draw track for drapes, comprising abox section portion continuously slotted along the underside to definetwo opposed support ledges therein for movable drape carriers, and avalance portion extending downwardly at an angle to said support ledges.Preferably the valance extends at right angles to the support ledges atthe end of a spacer portion.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:-

FIG. 1 is a sectional and elevation of an extruded draw track accordingto the invention together with a secondary track which may be used whenparallel tracks are required,

FIG. 2 is a sectional and elevation of an extruded draw track assembledon a wall mounting bracket according to the invention,

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevation on the line 3-3 of FIG FIG. 4 is asectional detail on the draw track showing a drape carrier, 1

FIG. 5 is a sectional elevation on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 is a sectional detail on the draw track according to theinvention showing a master drape carrier,

FIG. 7 is a sectional elevation on the line 7--7 of FIG. 6,

FIG. 8 is a sectional detail of the draw track according to theinvention showing a pulley arrangement and,

FIG. 9 is a sectional elevation on the line 99 of FIG. 8.

Referring first to FIG. I of the drawings, the draw track 1 showncomprises a square box section 2 which is medially slotted at 3 in itslower wall to provide two support ledges 4. The upper wall 5 isapertured at intervals along its length to permit securing means 6 suchas screws to be driven into a ceiling or window frame 7 from which thetrack is supported.

Extending forwardly from the box section portion 2 in the same plane asthe support ledges 4 is a first spacer portion 8. At the forward edge,the spacer portion 8 connects with a valance portion 9 which extendssubstantially at right angles thereto. The valance portion 9 has a lip10 extending rearwardly at right angles therefrom and an upwardextension 11 which engages the ceiling or window frame 7.

A second spacer portion 12 extends rearwardly from the box sectionportion 2 in the same plane as the support ledges 4 and terminates in alip 13 upstanding therefrom at right angles.

Where a single draw track is required, the extrusion above described issecured by the screws 6 in such a manner that the lip 13 abuts thevertical wall or window frame portion 14. However, where a double trackarrangement is required, as shown in FIG. 1, a secondary track 15 isinterposed between the track 1 and the wall 14. The track 15 isidentical in all respects to the track 1 except that the portions 8, 9,l0 and 11 are omitted. The remaining portions will not be furtherdescribed, being merely referred to by the same reference numeralssuffixed a.

FIG. 2 shows an arrangement for mounting the draw track 1 of FIG. 1where the ceiling is at too great a height above the upper edge of thewindow to make it practical or desirable to secure the track directlythereto. The draw track 1 of FIG. 2 is identical in all respects to thatdescribed with respect to FIG. 1 and the same reference numerals aretherefore applied to corresponding parts.

In this embodiment however the draw track 1 is supported by two or morewall mounting brackets 16 (see also FIG. 3). The brackets 16 comprises awall plate 17 in which apertures 18 are provided at the upper and lowerends for the reception of screws 18 driven into the wall 14. A firstbearer portion 19 extends outwardly at right angles to the wall plate 17and terminates in an inverted generally U shaped end 20 dimensioned tofit over the side and top walls of the box section portion 2 of the drawtrack. The draw track is secured to the end 20 by means of the screws 6.A vertical stiffening rib 21 extends between the wall plate 17 and theend portion 20, the ribs 21 being integrally formed with the bearerportion 19.

Beneath the bearer portion 19, a second bearer portion 22 extends fromthe wall plate 17 at right angles thereto and supports the rear edge ofthe second spacer member l2 of the draw track, the spacing between thebearer members 19 and 22 being sufficient to accom-, modate the lip 13.A vertical stiffening rib 23 is provided between the wall plate 17 andlower bearer member 22. 1

The draw tracks 1 and 15 shown in FIGS. l and 2 are preferably extrudedfrom plastic material such as the rigid extrusion compound sold underreference No. 8700A by the BF. Goodrich Company. The bracket 16 is alsopreferably moulded from such material.

FIG. 4 shows the box section portion of the draw track 1 with asecondary drape carrier 25 mounted therein. The drape carrier 25 ismoulded from plastic material and comprises an upper rectangularplate-like portion 26 from which a lower portion 27 depends between thesupport ledges 4. The upper portion 26 has four domed projections on theunderside which engage with the ledges 4 so as to reduce frictionalresistance, and the lower portion 27 has a pair of lateral extensions 28which engage beneath the ledges 4 and prevent inadvertent movementupwardly of the carrier into the box section 2. As best seen in FIG. 5,the lower portion 27 is provided with an aperture 29 for engagement witha hook secured to the drape.

Turning now to FIGS. 6 and 7, these show a master movable drape carrier30 mounted in a box section track 2. The carrier 30 has twoupperportions 26, each with domed projections 24 which are identical tothe sections 26 described above with reference to FIGS. 4 and S. Thelower portion of the master carrier 30 however comprises an anglesection element 31 apertured at 32 for the reception of hooks secured tothe drapes and notched at 33 for secural to a draw cord (not shown). Themaster movable drape carriers 30 are secured in use to the leading edgesof the drapes which are drawn to the center of the window opening, thearrangement being such that the dependent portions of the angle sections31 are on opposite sides of the center line of the box section 2 so thatthe drapes overlap i the closed position.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, these show a double draw cord pulley foruse in the box section track. The

pulley 35 comprises a base plate 36 with two upstanding cheek plates 37between which a pair of pulleys 38 and 39 are joumalled by pins 40. Thepulley 35 is secured to the ledges 4 by screws, one of which is shown at41. One of the cheek plates 37 is provided with apertures 42 to provideanchorage for the hooks secured to the outer ends of the drapes.

In use, the draw track 1 is secured in position above the window openingeither as shown in FIG. 1 (omitting the secondary track 15) with the lip13 against the wall 14, or on brackets 16 as shown in FIG. 2. Two masterdrape carriers 30 are then fed onto the track so that the dependentlower portions 31 are offset from each other. Sufficient secondarycarriers 25 are then fed on to the track on each side of the mastercarriers 30 for engagement with the hooks to be provided on the drapes.The pulley 35 is next located and secured at one end of the track and asimilar pulley carrying only one sheave at the other end of the track.Finally, a draw cord is fed around the pulley 38, along the track andaround the pulley at the other end of the track and then back along thetrack and around the pulley 39. At the center of the track, each of theupper and lower runs of cord is secured to one of the master carriers 30so that the drapes can be drawn apart or closed in the conventionalmanner by manipulation of the draw cord.

We claim:

1. A draw track assembly for drapes, comprising an extruded draw trackhaving a box section portion continuously slotted along the underside todefine two opposed support ledges therein for movable drape carriers,first and second spacer portions extending from pposite sides of saidbox section portion in the same plane as said support ledges, a valanceportion extending at right angles to said first spacer portion at theedge thereof, a first lip portion extending rearwardly from the loweredge of said valance portion at right angles thereto, a second lipportion extending upwardly from the rear edge of said second spacerportion at right angles thereto, a pair of master movable drape carrierseach having a pair of first portions resting on said support ledges andsecond portions dependent from said first portions between said supportledges, with the second portions of the two master carriers being offseton opposite sides of the box section portion center line, a plurality ofsecondary drape carriers each having a first portion resting on saidsupport ledges and second portions dependent therefrom between saidsupport ledges and apertured for engagement with drape hooks, said firstportions of said master and secondary carriers each being formed withfour domed projections arranged in a rectangular configuration on theunderside for sliding engagement with said support ledges, and pulleysat opposite ends of the draw track for guiding a draw cord connected tothe master carrier whereby drapes carried by the carriers can be closedor opened.

2. An extruded draw track for drapes, comprising a box section portioncontinuously slotted along the underside to define two opposed supportledges therein for movable drape carriers, a valance portion extendingdownwardly at right angles to said support ledges and spaced from saidbox section by a spacer portion, a second spacer portion extending fromthe opposite side of said box section to the first spacer portion forspacing the box section from the wall when installed, a plurality ofsupport brackets, each support bracket comprising a wall plate includingmeans for securing the wall plate to a wall, a first bearer memberextending from the wall plate and engaging externally around the boxsection portion of the draw track, and a second bearer member extendingfrom the wall plate beneath the first bearer member, the first andsecond bearer members retaining the second spacer portions therebetween.

3. An extended draw track as claimed in claim 2 wherein said first andsecond bearer members each comprise vertical stiffening ribs.

1. A draw track assembly for drapes, comprising an extruded draw track having a box section portion continuously slotted along the underside to define two opposed support ledges therein for movable drape carriers, first and second spacer portions extending from opposite sides of said box section portion in the same plane as said support ledges, a valance portion extending at right angles to said first spacer portion at the edge thereof, a first lip portion extending rearwardly from the lower edge of said valance portion at right angles thereto, a second lip portion extending upwardly from the rear edge of said second spacer portion at right angles thereto, a pair of master movable drape carriers each having a pair of first portions resting on said support ledges and second portions dependent from said first portions between said support ledges, with the second portions of the two master carriers being offset on opposite sides of the box section portion center line, a plurality of secondary drape carriers each having a first portion resting on said support ledges and second portions dependent therefrom between said support ledges and apertured for engagement with drape hooks, said first portions of said master and secondary carriers each being formed with four domed projections arranged in a rectangular configuration on the underside for sliding engagement with said support ledges, and pulleys at opposite ends of the draw track for guiding a draw cord connected to the master carrier whereby drapes carried by the carriers can be closed or opened.
 2. An extruded draw track for drapes, comprising a box section portion continuously slotted along the underside to define two opposed support ledges therein for movable drape carriers, a valance portion extending downwardly at right angles to said support ledges and spaced from said box section by a spacer portion, a second spacer portion extending from the opposite side of said box section to the first spacer portion for spacing the box section from the wall when installed, a plurality of support brackets, each support bracket comprising a wall plate including means for securing the wall plate to a wall, a first bearer member extending from the wall plate and engaging externally around the box section portion of the draw track, and a second bearer member extending from the wall plate beneath the first bearer member, the first and second bearer members retaining the second spacer portions therebetween.
 3. An extended draw track as claimed in claim 2 wherein said first and second bearer members each comprise vertical stiffening ribs. 